Yemen's Saleh killed in ambush

Yemenis in the war-torn country's capital crowded into basements overnight as Saudi-led fighter jets pounded the positions of Houthi rebels, who are now fighting forces loyal to a former president for control of the city.

Albukhaiti said that fighters had secured key areas south of the capital, including the "very strategic" al-Mesbahi residential area, which is approximately 200 metres from Saleh's home.

The new situation is critical and unsafe, and requires the interference of the Yemeni army and coalition forces in Sanaa, as well as working with Saleh's forces, which are still in shock.The people of Sanaa and the forces of the late Saleh have a great interest in fighting a war to reclaim their city from Houthis.

Saleh, who was forced to step down by a 2011 mass uprising against his 33 years in office, said Yemen's parliament, which is dominated by his GPC party, was the only legitimate power in the country and was ready for talks with the coalition.

The fighting continued on Monday, with reports of heavy clashes and coalition strikes against Houthi-controlled government buildings and around Sanaa airport.

Firefighters hose a building in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.

As president, Saleh had been a close ally of both Saudi Arabia and the United States, which considered him a partner in the fight against al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen and a bulwark against the influence of Iran.

Military and government sources said the army would advance on Sanaa from the east and northeast, with at least seven battalions ordered to move forward.

"The president will soon announce a general amnesty for all those who collaborated with the Houthis in recent months and who have retracted that allegiance", said Prime Minister Ahmad Obaid bin Daghr.

In the video, Saleh appeared to have suffered a head wound and his shirt was stained with blood. He did not mention Saleh's death.

In a televised speech on Monday, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi hailed Mr Saleh's death as a victory against the Saudi-led bloc, congratulating Yemenis "on this historic, exceptional and great day in which the conspiracy of betrayal and treason failed, this black day for the forces of the aggression".

A dominant figure in Yemen, Saleh, 75, ruled the country for more than three decades before being deposed in 2012.

Worldwide aid groups warned Monday they were losing the ability to reach civilians in Sanaa.